Sick Bastard

I have a goal. Something that I bet most of you think is trivial. I want to be well–no illnesses, no injuries–for six months running. I’m 38 years old and this has never happened. I loved my mom, but she wasn’t so bright when she was carrying me. I’m pretty fortunate all I got from the deal was an immune system on the far edge of a normal range. It’s like being constantly betrayed by my body, and it’s infuriating.

There has been, through great effort, some improvement. In my 20s, I couldn’t hold down better than a temp job, because I needed the freedom to be sick a lot. I’m not sick nearly every week like I was as a kid. I haven’t had weeks or months out.

But still, I’m out about once a month, maybe twice. And I just seethe about it.

Since Bill came into my life, we’ve been making some positive transitions. I’d like to add some routines to that, and see if I can make my six-month goal. A daily multivitamin on top of my already good diet. Daily walks are no big deal, but I have to take it very easy, as I always (since I was a teenager) seem to throw out a hip or a knee, or pull a tendon. If I ride the bus, I have to wash my hands before I touch my face. The biggest hotbed of infection is work. I’m particularly vulnerable, because I have to sit at other peoples’ keyboards many times a day. I’m purchasing packets of alcohol wipes, and those keyboards are getting a rubdown before I touch them. This is the only one that is going to make me feel weird–but I think it would be better for the whole office.

If these measures don’t work, I’ll give it some thought and add more. An herbal supplement is a possibility. I’d prefer not to go all Michael Jackson though. People think I’m weird enough.

1 Responses to Sick Bastard

Probably a smart move on the keyboards. When I worked for a newspaper a few years back, I talked to facilities about getting me alcohol to clean my mouse and key board, as well as blowing out my keyboard with air, and they looked at me like I was nuts because in all the years they had computers there, no one had ever made that sort of request.

I read an article once that people were more likely to get sick from eating lunch at their desk than in their lunchroom because their desk area was cleaned much less frequently, so the germs had a chance to really build up.

iMood

(because I go back every few years, and find myself amazed it still exists.)

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frykitty is the long-standing handle of Cat Winterfox. Cat is a mixed-media artist currently living in Florida. She is generally optimistic, likes spooky things, critters, and tail lights.